What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purportedly
Example
The book purportedly contains secret information about the government's operations. [purportedly: adverb]
Example
The company's CEO was purportedly involved in a scandal. [purportedly: adverb]
allegedly
Example
He allegedly stole money from the company. [allegedly: adverb]
Example
The politician was allegedly involved in a bribery scandal. [allegedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Allegedly is more commonly used than purportedly in everyday language, especially in legal or journalistic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purportedly and allegedly?
Both words are formal and are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as legal proceedings or news articles.
